Ditching-machine



T. J. STRATTON, OF WATERLOO, NEWv YORK.

DITCHING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 14,117, dated January 15, 1856.

State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Ditching-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of t-he construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the ,annexed drawing, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the machine; Fig. 2 is a plan of same, and Fig. 3 is a vertical section on :0 looking rearward.

Similar letters denote the same part of the machine.

The character of ditching` machine to which my invention applies is that in which the earth after being plowed, is elevated by scoops projecting from a large wheel, to which motion is communicated by reason of its gearing with a smaller wheel upon one of the driving axles, the product of excavation being discharged upon conveyers which carry it to the surface of the ground, on each side of the line of travel.

The nature of the invention consists in constructing the machine vith a secondary frame movable about the driving axle, and constituting the support of the excavating wheel and earth conveyers`A so as to adjust the scoop wheel to the required depth of excavation, and at the same time cause the conveyers to conform to the several positions of t-he said wheel, the details of construct-ion and operation being as follows.

, In the drawing A. is the main frame supported by the wheels B B, and C C, movable on the axles a, and o. The axle a has connected with it, one extremity of the secondary frame D, which is moved about said axle by reason of the connection of the front of the frame with the shaft E, by cords c, power applied to crank Ii serving to give the said secondary frame any desired elevation. On this frame are the bearings of the axle e of excavating wheel IN geared with wheel I on the rear axle a so as to rotate in direction of arrow on the forward movement of the machine. As the frame D is movable about axle a, the wheels `W and I will remain in gear in every position of the frame D. Secured on the sides of wheel W l and projecting beyond its periphery are the scoops S by which the product of the excavation is lifted.

Secured to the frame I-I arethe conveyers P, which receive the earth from the scoops S, and transmit it to the stationary inclines R, whence it reaches the ground on each side of the line of travel of the machine. The conveyer frame I-I is hinged at z' to the main frame and has its head resting on the secondary frame D, so that as the frame D moves the conveyer frame H moves with it, and in adjusting the excavating wheel IV the adjustment of the conveyers takes place simultaneously. The shaft E is supported upon the uprights G, and is held in any required position by ratchet f and pawl g. In front of wheel 7 is a shovel plow J capable of adjustment to any desired depth of excavation by means of the clevis 0.

The operation of the machine is obvious from the above description, the windlass E adjusting the wheel W and conveyers P to the varying depth of ditch at each successive travel of the machine, the plow J serving to loosen the soil, though if it be necessary this portion of the machine 'may be dispensed with and separate plows be employed in its stead. The scoops S rise filled with the product of excavation as wheel W rotates and when over the conveyers P discharge their respective loads thereon, whence the earth passes by the inclines R to the surface of the ground, forming parallel ridges on each side of the ditch.

I do not claim the excavating wheel, as such has been used before for like purposes, but

I claim- The secondary frame movable about the main axle and constituting the support of the excavating wheel and of the earth conveyers, for adjusting the wheel to the required depth of excavation, and causing the conveyers to conform to each new position of the wheel substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name before two subscribing witnesses.

T. J. STRATTON. I/Vitnesses S. M. ANDREWS, GEORGE DECKER. j u l 

